Goods-display device.



H. BUGKLIN.

GOODS DISPLAY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21. 1911.

1 1 1 5 ,498. Patented Nov. 3, 191 4.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

awuwtoz Jfazzzsorzfiacklzh THE NORRIS PETERS 00., PHOTO-LITHO WASHINQTUN, D C.

H. BUUKLIN.

GOODS DISPLAY DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 21,1911.

Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

a SHEETS-SHEET 2.

rHF. NORRIS PETERS c0.. PHOrO-LITH WASHINGTON. D. u.

H. BUGKLIN.

GOODS DISPLAY DEVICE.

APPLIGATION FILED JULY 21, 1911.

1,1 1 5,498. Patented Nov. 3, 1914.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3- 50 Ill A 3 I 1; 68 z 38 HIIIIIEIIIIIIIIII!!! 430 fi fi'flllllllllllr'? i! iq- Wakmmoeo UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

HARRISON BUCKLIN, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY ASSIGNMENTS,

T0 SAMUEL YOUNG, TRUSTEE, OF GRAND RAPIDS, 1VIICHIG1XN.

GOODS-DISPLAY DEVICE.

" j Patented. Nov. 3, 19.14.

Application filed July 21, 1911. Serial No. 639,750.

T 0 all whom itmay concern Be it known that I, IIARRISON B'UOKLIN, of Rochester, inthe county of Monroe and State of, New York, have'inventedcertain new and useful Improvements in Goods-Dis,

play Devices; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the specification, and to the reference-numerals marked thereon.

My present invention relates to goods display devices and has for its object to provide in connection with a rotatable rack or holder, on which the goods may be supported, mechanism for causing the rack or holder to assume a definite predetermined position in'reference to the base or support on which it may be mounted each time the rack or holder iscaused to be turned a partial revolution so that it is adjusted out of its normal position.

To these and other ends the invention consists in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, the novel features being pointed out in the claims at theend of the specification.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a top plan view illustrating a type of goods display apparatus arranged within a show case to which devices embodying my invention may be applied; Fig. 2 is a detail view in side elevation, illustrating the mounting ofthe rack or support upon the carriage, used with the arrangement of parts shown in F ig. 1. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation showing a plurality of racks or holders mounted upon a stationary column or support; Fig. 1 is an enlarged cross sectional. view on the line 1*4* of Fig. 2, showing the detail arrangement of parts adopted as one embodiment of my invention which may be employed when the rack or holder rotates upon the support; Fig. 5 is a similar View showing the arrangement of the same parts inverted, which may be employed when the rack is rigidly connected to the support and the latter rotates ,on its supporting base; Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 4; Fig. 7 is a detail perspective view of the cam member; Figs. 8

and 9 are detail cross sectional views showing structures embodying further modificational view taken on the line 1O -1O of Fig. 9.

Similar reference numerals in the several figures indicate, similar parts.

In illustrating my invention I have shown a type of displayapparatus adapted particularly foruse' in exhibiting clothing, c0m prising a rack composed of the parallel bars 1, 1, upon which the various articles or garments are suspended by suitable garment hangers, saidrack being-mounted upon a frame 2 mounted-onthe upper end of a column or'support 3. The latter in apparatus of this type isheld in vertical position by mountlng it upon a carriage 4:, which is employed when the device as a whole is inclosed in a wardrobe or cabinet-{as shown in Fig. 1, the carriage then beingpreferably guided on rails 5 to permit the rack to be drawn for wardly to facilitate access to the goods when the doors of the cabinet are open. The invention, however, is applicable to display racks adapted for other purposes than those mentioned, and the standard or column 3 may be held in a vertical position by an suitable form of base, such as that indicated by Gin Fig. 3.

In most instances it is preferable to construct display racks rectangular in outline, making them of greater length than width, as this shape not only adapts the racks or supports for general store use, but also lends itself conveniently to the supporting'of a large number of goods, since they can be made to occupy a minimum amount of floor space for a given holding capacity, while the goods on the various parts of the rack may be readily accessible when the device is revolved. Irrespective of the character of the articles which may be supported upon the rack, the desideratum to be obtained in the use of any rotary display device is to maintain it in a definite predetermined position, except when the operator is rotating it, so that the rack may not project into the aisle or passageway of thestore, and under normal conditions will be parallel to or in alinement with other similar racks or other adjacent articles of furniture with regard to which it may be desired to. havesaid racks assume a particular relationship.

As a means of accomplishing this object, I have shown as one embodiment of my invention an arrangement of parts for automatically restoring the rack or goods holder,

rack being revoluble thereon, or the lattermay be rigidly connected. to the standard andsaid standard journaled in its base, as shown in: Fig. 5. So far as the broad feature of the invention is. concerned, it is immaterial whether the column or its attached rack constitutes a movable element revolving in the stationary base, or whether the COll'lLlTIl is rigid and constitutes with the base a sta tionary element in respect to which the rack is rotatable, and. becomes the movable element of the structure. In conjunction. with these two parts, which may be termed broadly stationary and revoluble elements, 1 employ a cam on one part and on the other.

a bearing member or members cooperating therewith, and so disposed that the weight of the goods support or rack when displaced out of its normal position, will cause the cam and its bearing members to enact and restore the movable element to its proper position in respect to the stationary element.

As one means of carrying out my invention, I have shown in Fig. 4, the column 8, which is stationary and is provided at its upper endwith a sleeve 7 which may be adjusted thereon at the desired elevation and secured by set screws or other fastening devices 8. The frame 2 of the rack or holder is provided with a top portion 9 which sun rounds the standard and a bottom 10 provided with a. larger recess receiving the sleeve. The frame 2 is supported upon an annular row of anti-friction ball bearings 11 arranged between its top 9 and .the upper end of the sleeve. The sleeve near its lower end is provided with an enlarged collar 12 having at opposite sides apertures in which are arranged rollers 13 and l i constituting bearing members with which the cam member 15 cooperates, the latter in the present instance, resting upon said rollers, and being provided with ears 16 guided between lugs or flanges 17 on the inner side of the frame 2 which permit the cam member to move vertically relatively to the frame. The cam member surrounds the sleeve and is provided upon its lower surface with a pluralityof cam surfaces, two in the present instance being shown and indicated by 18' and 19, which are preferably of equal extent their high points 20 and 21 being diametrically opposed. The low points 01 bases of the cams are provided with slight depressions 22 and 23, for a purpose which will further bedescribed.

In many instances the racks with the goods thereon have an aggregate weight of several hundred pounds, and as it is only 1 necessary to utilize a. portion of this weight and thus permit the rack to be rotated with less eii'ort' on the part of the operator, I

have provided means for adjusting the effectii "e efl'ort exerted by the weight of the :parts to restore them to normal position.

This is accomplished by providing a longitudina-l movement of tie cam 15 relatively tothe frame 2: and arranging tensioning devices, such as a plurality of springs 2st between said cam and the frame 2', which may be adjusted by set screws 25.

In Fig- 5 l have shown a modification of the parts described above, in which the rounds the column within the collar and is provided upon itsv lower surface with twocam surfaces cooperating with the rollers 35 and journal'ed in the base 31 at opposite sides of the column. The proportion of the total weight of the rack which it is desired to apply to the cam member 34 is determined by the compression given the springs 37 by adjustment of the set screws 38, the cam member in this instance being permitted to note longitudinally on the column by means a of a slot and pin connection, as indicated by 39.

Another modification of the invention is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10, in which the cam member i0 is attached rigidly to the standard or column 300, and rests upon the rollers and 4-2 on the stationary element or base 43 in which the lower end of the standard is journaled. A supplemental bearing is pr ided to carry the major portion of the weight of the parts, consisting of the balls ll located beneath the underside of the cam member and resting upon a collar loosely surrounding the column 300. Projecting laterally from the bottom of the collar and beneath the bottom of the cam member 40 are cars l6 beneath which are coil springs 47 which may be adjusted by set screws 48 to determine the proportion of the weight which is to be carried by the bearing and cam member respectively.

In the structures illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, the parts are shown arranged in the manner employed when the standard rotates with the rack and is journaled in the base or support, and in Fig. 31 have shown the adaptability of these two formsof the apparatus to a structurein which the support or column is immovable, this illustration being alsoused to convey the idea of mount-- stationary element 310 corresponding to the base 31 and the movable member 01' head 32-0, which is the same as the collar 32, with the exception that the rack frame 200 is attached directly thereto. rack is employed the column is extended upwardly'the desired distance, and at the proper elevation the second rack D is 10- catedthereon. The parts supporting the second rack may be a duplication of those last mentioned, but in order to show the adaptability of the mechanism disclosed in Fig. 9, I have again illustrated the latter, this mechanism in Fig. 3 embodying a sta tionary element 430, the same as the base 43, which is'fixed to the standard and the mem 'ber 400 (corresponding to the cam 40) to which the rack frame 201 is connected.

In operation the weight of the rack or rotatable element acting to move it downwardly exerts a constant force between the cam member and its cooperating bearing members whenever the rack is rotated or adjusted out of its normal position, and this force, it will be understood, may be adjusted or regulated by the tension'imparted to the springs. The inclined faces of the cam members move along their respective hearings or rollers until their lowest points are directly above the axes of said rollers. When the cam members are in this position the arms of the rack or goods supporting devices are in the position previously determined to be the desired normal position of rest where they are held by the slight depressions 22 and 23. The latter are comparatively shallow and their depth may be varied according to requirement, their function being to require the operator to exert a slight force at the commencement of the rotary movement ofthe rack, thus normally holding the rack against accidental displacement. Thesedepressions also serve to assist in bringingaheavily loaded rack to a position of rest and limit its oscillatory movement, permitting the cam surfaces to beniade shallow or with but a slight deflection. p

Devices embodying my invention, when employed in connection with garment sup 1 poi-ting racks which are'adapted to be 111 closed in a wardrobe or cabinet, as shown in Fig.1, possess a particular advantage in that the rack is automatically straightened up or adjusted parallel to the front of the case. In this position the rack may be hen a second,

'moved rearwardly intothe cabinet, the carriage on which it is mounted traveling-along the tracks on the bottom of the case The same force which acts to turnthe i'ack a u tomatically into its normal position serves to hold it in this positionpthe rack, llOW- ever, being at all times rotatable when the resistance of the'load acting :throu'gh the cam surfaces is overcome; This resistance to the rotary movementof the rack'wliich'is substantially uniform at all points of rota tion, maybe adjusted asvcircumstancs 11'6- quire,xand contributes an advantageous feature to a wardrobe apparatus suchas illustrated, since the carriage being free to travel,

on its ways, maybe drawn forwardly or imoperator grasping pelled ,rearwardly by the any part of the rack.

While I have illustrated and described I my invention as embodied in a garment display .apparatus,"-and forthis reason con-" structed" of partsv necessarily large and heavy, itgwill be understood that :in its broadest aspect it is equally applicable to goods display devices of other types and for other uses, asan example of whichsmall display stands for holding neckties, hand-c1 kerchiefs or similar articles may be mentioned, in which event the parts may be made of lighter construction adapting them to be mounted upon show cases or store counters.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a display device, the combination of a cabinet, ,a rotatable goods support movable to and from a position within said cabinet, a. sustaining means for said goods support, acam member and a cooperating bearing member, one connected to the ro-;

'tatable goods support and the other totlie sustaining means, and one of said members being yieldingly mounted for vertical movement independent of vertical movement of the part to which it is connected and acting through such independent vertical movement to cause the goodssupport toassume a predetermined positionwhen turned from said position and released. I i

2. Ina display device, the combination of a v a case or cabinet, a rotatable rack and a support for said rack movable to and from i a positionwithin the case or cabinet, a cam member andca bearing member relativelymovable in avertical direction for returning the rack to a predetermined position when moved, from said position and re leased, and yielding means acting on one of said memberspermitting it to move vertically relatively to the other member-as the rack isturned in a single horizontal plane, 3. The combination with a horizontally revoluble goods; support and a base on,.

which it is mounted,of a cam member -hav-- ing two inclined; cam" faces, and bearing members cooperating with said faces, the

cam member being yiehiingly" mounted on the goods: support: to permit it to rise. indiependent of rising monement; of. the goods.

support and the bearing members. arranged on the basenected. to the goods; support to rotate therewith but mmovable vertically independent.

thereof and having an inclined cam surface: on its; lower srde, a bearing member on the base. cohperating with said cam surface and serving to displace the cam member vertically independent; of the goods: support during a partial rotation of the-goods support, said cam and bearmg member coijperatmgj to cause the support when at rest to nor mally assume a predetermined position.

5L The: combination with a horizontally revoluble goods supportand a standard on which it is. mounted, of cooperating cam and bearing members: mounted one on the stand-- ard and the other on: the goods supporha' thrust bearing for the latter, and means: for varying the proportion of the: weight of said support carried by the thrust bearing and by the cam and its bearing members respectively. 1

6%. In a goods display apparatus, the corn bination with a standard and agoods dis play rack rotatable freely in a horizontal plane and supported on the standard, of a cam member on one of said parts having cam surfaces, and bearing members on the other of said parts coti-perati ng with said surfaces to:- autonaati cally restore the rack to its. normal position when it'- has been revolved out of such position, and means permitting relative: verticalmovement of said cam member and bearing member independent. of relativev vertical movement of the rack and standard.

'2. In a display apparatus, the combination with a base, a rack revolubl e relatively thereto and a thrust bearing between said partsv sustaining the weight of the rack, of a cam having a plurality of ca m-faces and cooperating bearing members engaging therewith, said cam and members being arranged relatively to each other on the base and rack and coacting' to automatically adjust the rack into a predetermined position, and adjustable means arranged between the rack and cam for varying the amount of pressure exerted between the cam and its bearing membcrs.- y

8. In a d'splay device, the combination of a rotatable rack for displaying goods, a support for said rack, a cam member on one of said parts and a bearing member on the other part, and a J spring acting to force said members together and permitting vertical movement of said members independv eat; of relativevertical movement of the rack-and its:support'.

9'- In a; goods'd'splay apparatus, the combination with a vertical column and bearing members pro ecting therefrom, of a goods dlspl'ay rack. comprising a frame, a cam member having inclined faces resting on the bearing member and yieldingly adjustable tension devices: between the cam member" and the: frame, V

10'. In goods display apparatus, the combination with a vertical column, a bearthereon and a horizontally rotatable goods supporting frame journaled on the bearing, of bearing members on the column, a cam member having inclined faces resting on said members and means between the frame and cam member for adjusting the pressure exerted by the cam member on its bearing members. o

11. In a goods display apparatus, the combinationwith a column, a sleeve thereon having bearing members and a goods supporting frame j ou-rnaled on the column and restingon the sleeve, of a cam member having inclined surfaces resting on the bearing members and springs between the cam member and frame and means for adjusting them to vary the pressure between the cam faces and their bearing members.

In a goods display apparatus, the combination with a column, a sleeve thereon having bearing members and a cam member having inclined faces cooperating with said bearing members; of a goods support revoluble on the column and yielding connections between saidsuport and cam member sustainingpart of t eweight of said support.

member movable relatively thereon and compression springs between it and the fin-me, of a standard extending through the cam into the frame, a bearing on the standard for supporting the frame and a supplemental bearing on said standard coiiperating with the cam member.

14. In a goods display apparatus, the combination with a column, a sleeve adjustable longitudinally thereon and a goods supporting frame surrounding the column and journaled on the sleeve, of a cam member surrounding the latter having inclined faces and movable on the frame longitudinally of the sleeve, bearing members on the latter coiperating with the inclined faces of said cam member and means arranged between the frame and cam member for yieldingly supporting a portionof the weight of said frame onthe cam member.

1 5'. In a goods display apparatus, the combination with a stationary base and a 5 tension devices between the frame and cam member adapted to support a portion of the weight of the frame on said cam member.

16. In a display device, the combination of a cabinet a carriage movable to and 10 from a position Within the cabinet, a retatable rack movable with the carriage, a I

cam connected to the rack to rotate therewith and having vertical movement independent of vertical movement of the rack, and a bearing coacting with said cam to cause the rack to automatically assume a po sition parallel with the case when partially rotated andreleased. e

HARRISON BUCKLIN. Witnesses:

' FLORENCE 'E. FRAUCK,

RUSSELL B. GRIFFITH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. 

